DSS Raises Alarm Over Alleged Terror Plot to Attack Osun Worship Centres, Public Gatherings Ahead of 2027 Polls.

DSS Raises Alarm Over Alleged Terror Plot to Attack Osun Worship Centres, Public Gatherings Ahead of 2027 Polls.

The Department of State Services has alerted Christian and Muslim leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other locations with large gatherings as part of a plot to create fear and frustrate the 2027 general elections.

The warning was reportedly issued during separate meetings between the DSS and leaders of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The security agency, according to the religious leaders, urged churches, mosques, schools, markets and other public gathering centres across the state to strengthen their security measures and remain vigilant against suspicious activities.

The development followed what the DSS reportedly described as intelligence indicating that terrorists were planning to move towards the southern part of the country, particularly the South-West, with the aim of creating insecurity and tension ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Confirming the meeting, the President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, said the security alert was genuine and that religious leaders had been advised to take proactive measures to protect worshippers.

Olawuyi said the DSS had asked Muslim leaders to be more vigilant, particularly during Jumat prayers and other large gatherings.

“The meeting is true; it was held on Wednesday in Osogbo. We need to be careful and vigilant. These people (terrorists) have been trying to infiltrate Osun for quite some time,” he said.

He further recalled that the Muslim community had previously raised concerns over the movement of groups of people into the state through the Ikirun axis.

“We had, some time ago, sent back some herders, numbering about 200, who flooded Osun from the Ikirun axis. There were also some individuals who came into the state on motorcycles. They didn’t understand our language and we had to send them back.

“The DSS is doing a very good job in terms of intelligence and alerting the people,” Olawuyi added.

DSS Warns Against Suspicious Vehicles, Strangers

Details of the meeting with Muslim leaders were also contained in an audio message reportedly circulated by Olawuyi to imams across Osun State.

According to the message, the DSS allegedly informed the Muslim leaders that terrorists and some politicians were planning to cause insecurity in parts of the South-West in an attempt to disrupt the 2027 elections or discourage voters from participating.

Olawuyi said the security agency advised religious centres to be particularly cautious of suspicious vehicles, strangers and activities around places of worship.

He said Muslim leaders were advised not to allow vehicles to park close to congregations during Jumat prayers or other gatherings.

The DSS also reportedly advised mosque authorities against allowing unknown persons to sleep within mosque premises and urged them to provide adequate night security at mosques.

Religious leaders were further encouraged to be vigilant about suspicious activities involving commercial motorcycles and unfamiliar persons moving into their communities.

CAN Confirms DSS Security Meeting

The Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor John Adeleke, also confirmed that Christian leaders met with officials of the DSS over the security alert.

Adeleke said the security agency urged churches and other Christian organisations to strengthen their security arrangements and educate members about the importance of vigilance.

A report of the meeting, circulated among some Christian WhatsApp groups in the state, stated that the DSS had warned that terrorists had allegedly mapped out parts of Osun State and could target locations where large numbers of people gather.

The report, titled “The Report of the Meeting Held with the Department of State Security Osun State Command Today, Wednesday, 9th September, 2026,” was signed by the State Assistant Secretary of Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K.

According to the report, the alleged targets include churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and viewing centres.

The report also claimed that the suspected attackers were planning to move through Kaduna and Jos before making their way towards Osun State.

Adeleke said the DSS specifically warned church leaders against allowing unfamiliar vehicles to park close to church premises because of the possibility that such vehicles could contain explosives.

He said the agency also advised church authorities to properly identify and question unfamiliar visitors before allowing them access to church premises.

DSS Advises Against Night Programmes

The CAN chairman disclosed that the DSS also advised churches to exercise caution over night programmes because darkness could provide an opportunity for criminals or terrorists to carry out attacks.

He said the security message had subsequently been circulated to CAN blocs and various church platforms across the state to ensure that the warning reached individual congregations.

“After sharing with us that the churches will need to be careful and that we should encourage our churches also to be on alert, we sent the message to all our blocs and different platforms, where our people may be informed,” Adeleke said.

He added that the DSS encouraged religious leaders to report suspicious persons, vehicles or activities to the appropriate security authorities.

According to him, school owners and operators of other facilities that regularly accommodate large crowds were also expected to strengthen their security measures.

“For example, they told us we should not allow a strange vehicle to park near churches because there may be explosives inside the car. They also told our leaders throughout the state that they should be careful, and any visitor that comes around should be questioned before we allow him or her into the premises of the church,” he said.

Adeleke reiterated that the warning was not intended to create panic but to encourage members of the public to take reasonable security precautions.

“They also said we should be careful of night programmes, so that the people will not take advantage of the darkness to perpetrate their evil plans. The message is that our people should be security-conscious. If they see anything, they should say it,” he stated.

He added that although the government was aware of the security concerns, communities and religious organisations also had a responsibility to remain vigilant.

“The government is aware too. God is our divine protector, but in areas where we need to be careful, we want to be,” Adeleke added.

The warning comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with security expected to remain a major concern for political parties, religious organisations and communities across the country.

While the DSS alert has prompted religious leaders in Osun to increase vigilance, members of the public are expected to avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear and should instead report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies.